Page:Book of Etiquette, Volume 2, by Lilian Eichler.djvu/64

42 Here are some accepted forms that may be used with variations according to the guest's own personality:

""Good-night, Mrs. Carr. I must thank you for a perfectly delightful evening.""

To which the hostess will no doubt answer something to this effect:

""We were glad to have you, I'm sure, Mrs. Roberts.""

Here is another manner in which to extend one's thanks, and how to accept them:

""Sorry we must start so soon, Mrs. Carr. Thank you so much for your kindness."

"Good-night, Mrs. Roberts. I hope to see you soon again.""

It is also very important to bid one's partner for the evening a cordial good-night. In fact, it is a flagrant breach to leave without having thanked one's partner—and a gentleman will never do it. A word or two is all that is necessary.

The hostess, in taking leave of her guests, will gratefully acknowledge their thanks and say a word or two expressing her pleasure at their presence. It is not civil or courteous on the part of either host or hostess to attempt to prolong the presence of any guest after he has made it known that he wishes to depart.

If the hostess finds, almost at the last moment, that one of her guests is unavoidably detained and will not be